Dessert

Watermelon-rose pavlova wreath

This wreath-shaped pavlova ramps up the festivity factor. A cream made with a simple drained yoghurt makes a change from the more usual cream topping and cuts through the sweetness of the pav.
Watermelon-rose pavlova wreath

Watermelon-rose pavlova wreath

Ben Dearnley
6 - 8
20M
1H 30M
1H 50M

This wreath-shaped pavlova ramps up the festivity factor. A cream made with a simple drained yoghurt makes a change from the more usual cream topping and cuts through the sweetness of the pav. Begin this recipe a day ahead if you’d like to drain the yoghurt.

Ingredients

Yoghurt cream

Method

1.For yoghurt cream, whisk yoghurt and honey in a bowl, transfer to a sieve lined with muslin placed over a bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight to drain. Just before serving add cream and whisk to soft peaks.
2.Preheat oven to 150°C. Trace a 23cm-diameter circle on a large piece of baking paper and place pencil-side down on a lightly oiled baking tray. Whisk eggwhites and a pinch of salt in an electric mixer to soft peaks (4-5 minutes), then, with motor running, gradually add 330gm sugar and whisk until firm and glossy (2-3 minutes). Whisk in rosewater, vinegar and vanilla, then fold in half the cornflour. Place heaped dessertspoonfuls of meringue around the circle to form a ring. Place in oven, reduce to 120°C, and bake until crisp but not coloured (11⁄4-11⁄2 hours). Turn heat o and cool completely in oven with door closed (at least 6 hours or overnight). Pavlova will keep in an airtight container for 2 days.
3.Blitz mint, remaining cornflour and remaining sugar in a small food processor to finely chop.
4.To serve, spoon yoghurt cream over pavlova wreath, scatter with watermelon, Turkish delight, rose petals and mint sugar.

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